Floating bookshop in Paddington ‘being forced to set sail’

Choppy future: Jonathan Privett, co-owner of Word On The Water, is fighting to keep his book shop on the Regent’s Canal at Paddington (Picture: Lucy Young)

London's only floating bookshop faces closure after losing its Regent’s Canal mooring to developers who are planning to open the Paddington area’s 14th coffee outlet.

Hundreds have joined a campaign to stop Word On The Water, which counts Stephen Fry and Booker Prize-winning author Ben Okri as customers, from going under. The owners applied to the Canals and River Trust in August for a permanent mooring at Paddington, where it has been based for the past year.

But the independent second-hand bookshop now faces closure after its bid lost out to British Land, one of the largest property development and investment companies in the UK.

It plans to open a floating coffee shop and visitor centre on two moorings near Paddington station. More than 2,500 people have signed a petition at Change.org calling on the Canals and River Trust to provide the bookshop with another permanent mooring.

Floating bookshop: co-owner of Word on the Water Jonathan Privett (Picture: Lucy Young)

Owner Jonathan Privett, 49, said: “We have become a centre of the local community, as well as a mecca for book-lovers from all over the world.

"We have really enhanced the area. We are popular with everyone from families to business people who pop in during their lunch hour. There are already 13 coffee shops in the immediate area. The area doesn’t need another.”

With a stock of 3,500 books, it also holds live jazz, poetry readings and book launches on its roof. The owners say travelling up and down the waterways is no longer sustainable.

Famous fans: Stephen Fry, Inset, is a customer, while several authors have joined the campaign (Picture: David Benett)

A number of authors have lent their voices to the campaign including Michael Bywater and Elizabeth Speller. Bywater, who collaborated with Douglas Adams on the Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, said: “We are losing something authentic and real.”

The Canals and River Trust said it had a responsibility to secure the best deal for the canal. “We fully appreciate the sentiments expressed about Word On The Water and very much hope it continues to operate successfully, as a roving trader consistent with its existing licence,” said a spokeswoman.

A spokesman for British Land said: “We entered a tender process for the two moorings and were delighted to be selected as the successful bidder.